Tray-locking means for reel-type ovens



Dec. 1924- 1,517,272

. J. c. WOODSON TRAY LOCKING MEANS FOR REEL TYPE OVENS Filed July 11, 1922 INVENTOR James C. Woodso WITNESSESE ATTORNEY W I. C. WOODSOTI, OF MANSI TIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC PRODUCTS COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

TRAY-LOCKING FOR REEL-TYPE OVENS.

Application filed July 11, 1922. Serial No. 574,223. v

- stantially'level during the operation of the oven.

My invention embodies an oven in which is rotatably mounted a shaft upon which are secured, in spaced-apart relation, :1. pair ofskeleton frames. A plurality of tray-supporting shafts are rotatably mounted in the frames and support, respectively, trays depending therefrom and secured thereto. A depending extension, of substantially l.- shape, is provided at one end of each of the tray-supporting shafts, and a plurality of rods connect these extensions together. A guide, of substantially channel section, is secured to an end wall of the oven and is engaged by the outer ends of the extensions of L-shape. In the single sheet of drawings,

Figure 1 1s a view, partlyin section and I partly in end elevation, of a reel-type bak mg oven comprising the device embodying my invention. A

Fig. 2 is a view, in longitudinal vertical section, of a reel-type baking oven comprising the device embodyingmy invention; and

- ig. 3 is a view, in lateral crosssection, of a guide member constituting a part of the device embodying my invention.

An oven, designated generally by the numeral 11, comprises a plurality of Ion itudinally-extending side panels, all of whlch are here designated by the numeral 12. These panels may be of any suitableor desired construction but are here illustrated as comprising inner and outer sheet-metal walls spaced apart to hold therebetween a suitable heat-insulating material. This construction forms no part of my invention and is, therefore, not described in detail. A door panel 13, provided with a downwardly swinging door 14, permits of access to the interior of the oven 11.

A longitudinally-extending shaft member 15 is rotatably mounted in suitable bearing members (not shown), in the end panels 16, only one of which is illustrated in the draw ings. Upon the shaft 15 are mounted two skeleton frames 17, in spaced-apart relation and adjacent to the end Walls of the oven.

The outer circumferential portion of each of the frames 17 is provided with a plurality of openings 18 therethrough to permit of mounting therein a plurahty of tray-supporting shafts 19 which have a turning movement thereon relatively thereto. A plurality of supporting trays 21 are suspended from, and suitably secured to, the shafts 19, as by end members 22. The construction thus far described is one which has been employed heretofore in such devices and, if the trays are so loaded that the weight is not evenly distributed thereon relatively to the longitudinal center line of the trays, they will be tilted and cause material placed thereon to be baked, to have difierent thicknesses at the front and rear thereof; This is especially the case in custard pies and in delicate cakes.

Each of the shafts 19 in oneof the frames 17, is provided, at the outer end thereof, with an extension 23, of substantially II.- shape. This extension may be integral with the shafts 19 or be suitably secured thereto. The extensions 23 are symmetrically located with regard to the trays 21, and I preferably so locate these extensions that the main portions of each lie in substantially vertical planes and that the outer ends thereof, that is, the substantially horizontal portions, extend substantially arallel to the central longitudinal axis 0 the bottom portion of thetray 21. 7

Upon one end wall of the oven, I mount a guide member 24 which is provided with an arcuate guiding portion 25, of substantially channel section, and is so located relatively to the outer end portions of the extensions 23 as to cause the extensions to move therethrough. It is, of course, apparent that the outer ends of the members 23 travel in a substantially circular path, the center of which lies below the axis of the shaft 15. While have shown the member 24 as of se mental shape only, I may, if desired, provit le a suflicient number of segments to cover the entire circumference of the path of travel of the outer ends of the extensions 23, which path is indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 1. r

If it is desired to employ only a segmental guiding member 24, I provide a plurality of connecting rods 26, which are suitably secured, at their respective ends, to the main portion of each pair of extensions 23 in order to tie all of them together.

As the reel structure, comprising the shaft 15, the two frames 17 the shafts 19, the extensions 23 and the trays 21, is operated to rotate the shaft 15 and to cause the trays 21 to revolve therearound, the outer ends of the respective extensions 23 successively move into and'through the guiding member 25 of channel form and, if this guide member is located on, or adjacent to, a horizontal center line, the trays will be prevented from any slight swinging or turning movement in the skeleton frames, and the trays will be maintained substantially level under all conditions of loading. If it is desired to dispense with the use of the-connecting rods 26, it is, of course, apparent that a substantially continuous track or'guiding member, 25 must be employed. It may be preferable to do this as then each of the trays is independently maintained substantially level instead of directly maintaining only one of them level and then depending upon the connecting bars to maintain the remainder thereof level.

Various modifications may be made in my invention Without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and I desire, therefore, to

be limited only by the scopeof the appended claims.

I claim as my invention 1. In a reel-type bake oven, in combination, a plurality of tray-supporting shafts, a plurality of trays secured to and supported by said shafts, an extension of substantially L-shape, on the end of each of said shafts, sald extension extending in parallel planes relatively to each other, single rigid links for mechanically connecting adjacent pairs of said extensions and a single means operatively engaging the outer ends of said extensions for preventing lateral movement thereof.

2. In a reel-type bake oven, in-combination, a plurality of tray-supporting shafts, a plurality of trays secured to and supported by said shafts, a depending extension, of substantially L-shape, on the end of each of travelling in a continuous substantially circular path, single rigid links connecting said extensions together, and a single arcuate member, of channel shape in cross-section, operatively engaging the outer ends of said extensions of L-shape.

3. In a reel-type bake oven, in combination a plurality of revoluble tray-supporting shafts, a plurality of trays secured to and supported by said shafts, an extension, of substantially L-shape, on the end of each of said shafts, said extensions being located symmetrically relatively to the respective trays and to each other, and traveling in a. substantially continuous circular path, and a single arcuate member, of channel section, for operatively engaging theouter ends of said shaft extensions to prevent a turning extensions to hold said trays substantially horizontal.

5. In a reel-type bake oven, the combination with a plurality of tray-supporting shafts, trays secured to and supported by said shafts, and extensions, of substantially L-shape, on the end of each of said shafts, the outer ends of said extensions travelling in a continuous and substantially circular path, of single rigid links connecting said extensions, and a single member, of limited arcuate extent only and of channel shape in cross-section, for operatively engaging the outer ends of successive extensions and thereby preventing lateral movement of all of said trays.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 30th day of June, 1922.

JAMES C. WOODSON. 

